Hatters Advance to Sunday's ASUN Championship

Stetson Defeats FGCU 4-1

DeLand, Fla. -- After a year hiatus, the ASUN Beach Volleyball Championship is back, and so are the Hatters.

Stetson advanced to Sunday's conference title game after defeating FGCU 4-1 in Saturday's winner's bracket semifinal at the Cooper Beach Courts.

The Hatters (19-12) will be making their eighth straight finals appearance and seeking their fourth straight conference crown. Stetson will face either FGCU or UNF in a winner-take-all dual at 1 p.m. The Eagles and Ospreys will square off at 11 a.m. Both duals will be streamed live on ESPN+.

"It's about carrying on a legacy," sophomore Shae Henson said about playing for the championship. "I think it's really important this year to prove we still deserve the number 1 seed, even though it is a completely different team."

Saturday was the fourth meeting of the season between the Stetson and FGCU. While two of the previous three meetings came down to the wire, the Hatters avoided any late-game drama this time around.

"I think we knew going in it would be a tough match," Stetson head coach Kristina Hernandez said. "I was really happy to see the 2s, 3s, and 4s get it done in two sets. That was key, not getting into the third set and having our backs against the wall.

"It was a good win, and I am happy we came out on top."

After FGCU grabbed the first point of the dual at Pair 5, Brittany McLean and Noelle Weintraub earned a 21-17, 21-16 at Pair 4 to even the score 1-1.

For the second straight day, Stetson took care of business at each of the top 3 seeds. On Court 3, Kamryn Johnson and Henson battled back from a 17-15 deficit in the first set to win 24-22. Once they took an 18-17 lead, they never trailed the rest of the set.

"I think the biggest thing where Shae and I have grown as a pair is focusing on the next point," Johnson said. "They are a good team, and we know we are going to go back and forth with them. We just have to move on. I think that's something Shae and I do well."

Johnson and Henson went on to win 21-15 in the second set to put Stetson ahead 2-1.

On Court 2, Yasmin Kuck and Gabriella Bramante battled back from a 14-11 first set deficit to win 22-20. They then won the second set 21-15 to clinch the match.

"The wind played into some unforced errors in the beginning, but I think we recovered well," Hernandez said. "That's what we want to see right now. Regardless of the score, never giving up and working hard for every single point."

At Pair 1, Ana Costa and Carly Perales battled through three sets against Giovanna Borgiotti and Kirstine Garder before coming away with a 2-1 win. The senior duo have won 10 of their last 12 matches overall.

"They know if they are playing well and not making unforced errors, especially at the service line, they are going to be successful," Hernandez said about the 1s. "They are clicking on all cylinders right now."

Stetson has now won 39 consecutive ASUN contests including 11 straight duals in the ASUN Championship. The Hatters will be seeking their sixth all-time conference title on Sunday.

Stetson 4, FGCU 1

1. Carly Perales/Ana Costa (STET) def. Giovanna Borgiotti/Kirstine Garder (FGCU) 21-14, 19-21, 15-12

2. Yasmin Kuck/Gabriella Bramante (STET) def. Kayla Whetstone/Kacie Johnson (FGCU) 22-20, 21-15

3. Kamryn Johnson/Shae Henson (STET) def. Maddison Parmelly/Lexie Hamilton (FGCU) 24-22, 21-15

4. Brittany McLean/Noelle Weintraub (STET) def. Emma Hansen/Madie Lichty (FGCU) 21-17, 21-16

5. Trinity Rosales/Jenna Banz (FGCU) def. Devin Corah/Madison Bobes (STET) 21-19, 21-15

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